“When Jesus heard these things, he marveled at him.” (Luke 7:9)

Among the many essential and irreplaceable purposes of scripture is to teach the sincere reader how to follow our Savior, what he values, and how to develop those attributes in ourselves. The New Testament is unique in that we are able to walk beside the Master and gain unique perspective as we observe the events of his mortal life.

On one occasion, a Roman Centurion approached the Savior seeking aid. What a bold move for a leader in the very military tasked with controlling the Jewish people. The consequences this act would surely could have brought with it included such cheerful prospects as social rejection, public disdain, loss of position and perhaps even imprisonment and execution. The adversary surely must have been shouting about these things somewhere in the background as the centurion approached the King of the Jews in faith. With pounding heart this man, who seems to have realized the Redeemer of Jew, Gentile, Roman and Greek alike stood before him fixed his gaze upon the Master and said “Lord…say in a word, and my servant shall be healed” (Luke 7:7). After hearing this believing Roman's request the scriptures say the Savior "marveled at him" then declared "I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel." Obviously the faith of this man was impressive and noteworthy to our Savior. Certainly he rejoiced to hear a Roman military leader, one who had lived his entire life being taught to a multitude of pagan gods, declare his belief in the only true God. This man possessed the courage to recognize truth when it was placed before him. As a result the Master "marveled at him" and praised the greatness of his faith.

In the verse preceding the Master's praise of this man we gain deeper insight into just what it was which impressed the Savior. Verse eight states:

"For I also am a man set under authority, having under me soldiers, and I say unto one, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it."

This Roman Centurion recognized he was a man of worldly power. He had achieved a level of success which few others would ever approach. His decisions influenced lives and he was an important leader in what was then the most powerful military in the world. He had every worldly reason to ignore the humble teacher eating locusts in the desert who some professed to be the Messiah. To a Roman what would it have mattered if this man truly was the Messiah? Certainly it would bear no spiritual significance to his polytheistic mind. If the whispered Jewish conversations in the streets were to be believed then he was someone to either be avoided, surveilled or detained to be ensure he did not carry out an overthrow of the Roman government. In fact, approaching this man would enrage his superiors who feared this man was a threat to their power and would have jeopardized not only his position, but also his life. It would have been easier to smother the feeling which stirred in his soul and bask in the light of his worldly success. Yet, in his own way he must have “hushed his fears” (Mosiah 23:28) and refused to blaspheme the powerful impressions he had felt stir his soul. He approached the Master, proclaimed his faith in him, and received praise from the Savior in return, the only praise which is ever important.

The faith required because of this Romans worldly success was not lost on our Savior who knows and understands all things. Neither will our own sacrifices go unnoticed by Him. Like this Roman so long ago we have been blessed with more worldly comforts and success than many in this world can imagine. The world would tell us to ignore the source of such blessings and embrace the latest trend in Babylon. However, if we follow the example of a Roman Centurion in need of a miracle we too will have the opportunity to show our Master He is the only possession which we truly value or depend on.

Like so many others through scriptures, this centurion is a figure I hope to one day have the opportunity to meet and speak with. If that day comes I will ask him to tell me more of what it was that drove him to approach the Savior in this moment. What had he seen or heard and what did he feel that lead him to look upon the figures of Jupiter, Mars and Venus which he was expected to honor and say within his hardened, military heart “Where is thy glory that I should worship thee?” (Moses 1:13). What was it like to look into the eyes of the Redeemer and see marveling within them? Someday I will ask what the rest of his life looked like after this scene. How did he change or what did no longer feel was important? I look forward to hearing these answers from one who believed against all odds. Today, however, I ask each of you very similar questions. What are you doing today, in this very moment, to have some version of this event in your own life? How are you pushing aside an overwhelming den of distraction to fix your gaze on those things which are higher and more holy. My prayer is each of us will also have the Savior marvel at our faith and proclaim "I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel."

In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.